“…Human settlements around reserves also provide effective barriers to movements (see Hoare and du Toit, 1999) that could compromise dispersal. When confined, protected, or provided with water elephant densities reach levels that may adversely affect vegetation (see Gaylard et al, 2003, Whyte et al, 2003, Skarpe et al, 2004and de Beer et al, 2006 and transform landscapes (see Western and Gichohi, 1989, Dublin et al, 1990, Herremans, 1995, Cumming et al, 1997, Gillson and Lindsay, 2003, Pickett et al, 2003and Western and Maitumo, 2004. Given this scenario, controlling local elephant numbers may reduce the degradation of vegetation (see Chafota and Owen-Smith, 1996and Whyte, 2004.…”